bygones be bygones

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiom

   used to say that past arguments or wrongs should be forgotten so people can be friendly again.

   Grammar: Almost always in the pattern 'let bygones be bygones'; the verb 'let' is fixed and does not change.

   Patterns

   • let bygones be bygones

   After years of not speaking, the brothers decided to let bygones be bygones.

   I know we argued, but can't we just let bygones be bygones?

   She shook his hand and said they should let bygones be bygones.

2. 2phraseidiom

   used to suggest that old quarrels are no longer worth caring about.

   Grammar: Still used with 'let', often as advice or a gentle suggestion after an apology.

   Patterns

   • let bygones be bygones

   It happened ten years ago; let bygones be bygones and enjoy the party.

   He apologized, so I'm happy to let bygones be bygones.

Common combinations

decide to let bygones be bygones

They decided to let bygones be bygones and start again.

let bygones be bygones and move on

Let bygones be bygones and move on with your lives.

be ready to let bygones be bygones

She seemed ready to let bygones be bygones after the apology.

simply let bygones be bygones

Why not simply let bygones be bygones?

Synonyms and how they differ

forgive and forget

A more active phrase that stresses actually pardoning someone; 'let bygones be bygones' focuses on leaving the past behind.

bury the hatchet

Similar in meaning but more vivid and informal, suggesting two enemies ending a feud.

water under the bridge

Says that past events are gone and no longer matter; it describes the situation rather than giving advice.

Opposites

Commonly confused: bygones be bygones or bygone?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “bygones be bygones”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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